I am recently studying computer science and I was introduced into boolean algebra. It seems that boolean algebra is used to simplify logic gates in hardware in order to make the circuit design minimal and thus cheaper. Is there any similar way that you can use it to reduce the number of code lines in your software in higher level languages like C++, C# or any other language?
Boolean Algebra – Can Boolean Algebra Reduce Code Lines?
booleanboolean logic
Best Answer
You can use boolean algebra for many things in programming. It is a
basic calculation technique like adding, subtracting or multiplying numbers,
a multi-purpose tool, not just a tool for reducing the number of code lines in a program.
Note it is not a tool for just simplifying logic gates in hardware as well. However, it can sometimes be used for such cases (as well as for the opposite, or for completely different purposes).
For example, if your program contains an overly complicated boolean expression or sequence of conditionals, boolean algebra might help you to simplify the expression and the surrounding code. But that does not necessarily lead to less lines of code. In fact, sometimes complex one-line boolean code snippets get more maintainable when you split them up into several lines of code, and boolean algebra can help you to do this correctly.
So IMHO your question is like "can I use a pocket calculator to find the shortest route when traveling from A to B"? Sure you can, when you take a map with distance information for individual roads and use the calculator to add them up, and then pick the route with the smallest sum. But you could also use the calculator for finding longer routes, or for calculating completely different things.